Dog Attack in Cougar Country

Published 3:58 pm, Monday, July 8, 2013

Pit Bull detained for biting a person in Cougar Country
photo by Alison Hart

Pit Bull detained for biting a person in Cougar Country
photo by Alison Hart

Dog Attack in Cougar Country

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Viral exposure of recent dog bite incidents has local residents questioning animal control procedures in Jasper County.During a week's span, two dog bites were reported to Jasper County Sheriff's Office. The first occurred Wednesday, June 26, in the Beech Grove Community. Two stray dogs attacked resident Wanda Lofton, 46, while she was standing outside of her home. She received several injuries to her arms and hands. Deputies with the JCSO were unable to locate the dogs' owner, and had no additional information to report on the circumstances surrounding the event. Both dogs were transported to the Jasper Animal Shelter by City of Jasper Animal Control Officer Renee Collier and later euthanized.

The second incident occurred Saturday, June 29, in the Cougar Country Subdivision located between Kirbyville and Buna. JCSO was again notified Saturday evening after a dog bit a teenager in the area. Circumstances surrounding the event are unknown at this time. The dog was taken to the JAS, where it was being kept for observation and testing, pending possible euthanasia.

When asked if animal control posses an issue for Jasper County, Chief Deputy Glenn Blank with the JCSO replied, "Yes, incredibly so. In addition to dog bites, our office receives numerous calls every week for loose animals, which puts a strain on our deputies' already full workloads."

Currently there exist no laws enforcing containment of animals for Jasper County, whether by an enclosed space or by leash/lead restraint.

Within the city limits of Jasper, however, animals running at large are prohibited and fineable up to seventy-five dollars for each offense, per Section 5-2 of the City of Jasper's Code of Ordinances. "Running at large" is defined within the Code of Ordinances as any animal located "off the premises of the owner while not under the complete control of the owner, either by leash, cord, chain, or otherwise."

Further, it is also prohibited within the city limits of Jasper for an animal to "cause or inflict physical injury upon any person or upon any other animal belonging to another," per Sec. 5-3, and is fineable up to two hundred dollars for each offense.

When asked if dog bites pose an issue for the City of Jasper, Interim City Manager Denise Kelley replied, "Jasper has not had a problem with dog bites. The recent dog bites all occurred outside of the city limits."

With that said, it should be noted that the three dogs in the previously mentioned dog-bite incidents were all breed-classified as pit bulls. As such, "ban all pit bulls" was a common response from local residents to the recent attacks.

This causes some confusion due to the fact that the term "pit bull" is often misused as a classification for a specific breed of dog. Unlike the Boxer, Labrador Retriever, and Yorkshire Terrier, the term "pit bull" is not an actual breed, but a colloquial reference. Commonly misunderstood, a pit bull actually describes over 3 different dog breeds with similar, not identical, characteristics: the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff), and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy).

Also, it is illegal for a county or municipality to place additional restrictions or requirements on a specific breed or breeds of dogs perceived to be dangerous per Texas state law under Chapter 822 of the Health and Safety Code.

And, for good reason: the popular belief that pit bulls are inherently dangerous? A media-propagated falsehood. Here are the real facts. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, "controlled studies have not identified this breed group as disproportionately dangerous." Further, the American Temperance Testing Society (ATTS), a society that tests individual dog's tolerance, or 'temperament,' based off levels of skittishness, aggression, and their ability to differentiate between threatening and non-threatening humans, found pit bulls to be the second most tolerant breed, after only Golden Retreivers.

Good pit bulls do exist, you just never hear about them. Just ask Jasper County resident Jo Keller about her pit bull, Aspen. "Anyone who has met Aspen says she's the sweetest dog they've ever known," Keller attests, "And, she is. She has never shown any aggression to a person. Ever." But, you don't need Aspen's owner to tell you that, her wagging tail and sloppy kisses are proof-positive.

So, what makes a dangerous pit bull dangerous to begin with? The ASPCA indicates that the fault lays with irresponsible ownership through a lack of thorough socialization, training, and failure to spay/neuter.

The dog-bite incidents that recently occurred resulted in severe bodily harm, there's no question about it. But, to assume a ban of pit bulls would cease the occurrence of dog bites in Jasper County is to assume that every pit bull is inherently malignant. Research-based fact indicates otherwise. Local resident Jo Keller's pit bull Aspen indicates otherwise, too. Even last week's dog-bite victim Wanda Lofton, who blames the owners, not the dogs, for what happened to her, indicates otherwise.

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Besides their breed grouping, another common thread between the three animals in last week's dog-bite cases was their general whereabouts: strayed from home. Perhaps with the implementation of countywide leash and secure confinement laws, along with the education of county residents on responsible pet ownership, the amount of animal cases the Jasper County Sheriff's Office sees might finally decrease.